Mazda MX-5 Miata (2005 and earlier)

1767779818286

Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You got the shocks on E-bay, used right?

    $180 I can handle. It was $500 plus for a set installed, new.

    -juice
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    Nope, that was $190 for all 4 brand new. Just do a search on ebay for "Miata shocks" and you'll see several ads (do still auction anything there? LOL) That $190 included shipping to my door. I paid using paypal and bought them from a store with about 4,000 positive feedbacks.

    $500! For that much you can do it yourself...even if you have to buy some of the necessary tools like a torque wrench you shoudl come out waaay ahead. I learned so much about my car while doing this project, that knowledge is priceless. Certainly worth more than staying ignorant and paying a shop $300 for labor.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I totally agree with Juice-- I am 6' 165lb, 33" inseam and wear a size 11. LOL

    no really, that's all relevant. my thigh touches the steering wheel all the time in a miata, and my feet have literally no extra room to manuever in the pedal box area. in fact, I have to be careful using the dead pedal to not bump the clutch.

    there is no way at all someone who is 6'7" would fit in a miata. try an S2000, but I doubt that as well.

    ~Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I have a torque wrench, and I'm pretty handy so I'm sure I could manage by just renting a spring compressor.

    Maybe when it warms up I'll drum up the motivation.

    I've done the gear oil, rear diffy fluid, and a clutch slave rebuild so I'm sure I could manage.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Keep in mind you may not notice the cramped feeling on a 15 minute test drive. My commute is about 45 minutes and that's about my comfortable limit. After that I can do it but I won't say I'm totally happy.

    Drove it to the beach once, 5 hours both ways, and both me and my wife regretted not taking our Subaru. Anything over an hour and I take the Forester now.

    -juice
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    I'm 6'1" and 200 lbs. I drove my 90 to KC and back (~350 miles) without any problems. My head doesn't touch the top and my legs clear the wheel just fine. I wish sometimes that I had cruise so I could bend my right knee sometimes but other than that.....maybe I'm just young enough?..
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    I "started" with the oil, differential and trans fluid changes as well. I haven't messed with the brakes yet, but after doing the top and changing my own shocks, I've got the confidence to do a lot of things. I'll probably pay a shop to do the timing belt though, ust b/c of the expense of buying the timing light...the ones I've seen so far were about $70-80....that's about 1/2 the labor costs right there for a tool I'll only use about every 60,000 miles or so.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Might be it, I'm 36 and my soccer knees get creaky after an hour or so.

    -juice
  • novcenthusiastnovcenthusiast Member Posts: 80
    I don't recall any of the articles or press releases I've seen mentioning what type of power assist the new miata will use. I'm wondering if it will be electric or hydro-electric.

    Anyone seen or heard anything about this?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Please, no electric.

    -juice
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    Is this a car you just bought? If so congrats!

    If this is a car you're trying to sell, that's a big no-no on Edmunds TH.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    looks like a sale ad to me. doh!

    btw that's dreaming on the price.. you can almost get a leftover unsold MSM for that.

    ~c
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yep, in the Subaru Crew Cafe someone's friend paid about that much for a new one recently.

    I would not sell it now, you're gonna take a big hit. At least wait until June so the weather helps you out.

    -juice
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Post was deleted for soliciting in the forums.

    Shifty the Host
  • cmoffatcmoffat Member Posts: 3
    I just bought a 2001 miata with only 23000 miles. I live in chicago and though I do not drive alot I am not able to shift into 5th gear. I was wondering if anyone else has has the same problem.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Doesn't sound good...did you check the gear oil level? Also see what the oil smells like, if there's any left in there.

    The filler plug is on the top passenger side of the tranny tunnel.

    -juice
  • docraydocray Member Posts: 3
    Mr/Ms Ateieira;

    Thank you for your information on the pricing, that is what I was soliciting. Was this a good price? I too have seen the ads, and sometimes I forget I live in California (Northern) where it may rain, but I am "spoiled" by the weather.

    Thank you,

    Raymond
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I think the price itself is good, but the problem you're going to face is that the new 2006 model is the one that people are looking for. Most buyers with an $18k budget are shopping new, not used.

    When the weather gets nicer you might have more luck.

    -juice
  • docraydocray Member Posts: 3
    I have looked up the bluebook prices, used the Edmund's pricing, and have not come up for a price to sell my Miata LS, 6 speed, white, tan on tan, 2,700 miles. I really can't, some of you have suggested wait until June, others that people will wait for the 06 (04 and 05 are the same, 05 didn't have white, which is my personal preference. Any and all price suggestions would be welcome. Car still has full factory warranty, bumper to bumper. It is my 3rd Miata, I believe they are a great car, already a part of automobile history. I was thinking of 18,250? What is the highest price you would ask? I know the lowest, 1 dollar. Thank you for reading. Raymond
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    2700 miles is so low, why are you selling so soon? I'm surprised.

    Used is used, and my rule of thumb is you subtract 10% from a new car price the minute you drive off the lot. So your value should be roughly 90% of the value of a new LS.

    Price one out, new, and see what you come up with. Then subtract 10% and that would be my asking price.

    Gotta be honest, it won't be easy to sell. New car loans have lower rates. If someone were to spend $16k, they could spend $18k and maybe get a lower % loan from a new car dealer than they could from a 3rd party to buy yours.

    Just keep that in mind. You are going to take a hit, period. There is no way around that.

    Best of luck.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I should add, you have to look at 10% off what the new model would cost today, not from what you paid.

    That means if incentives have increased since you bought, you'll take a bigger hit.

    I say that because people will cross-shop your Miata with new ones available today.

    -juice
  • docraydocray Member Posts: 3
    Juice;

    I bought it with many rebates, and I would like to keep it, I just have too many cars, trucks, tractors and my significant other has politely asked me sell one. My S.O. is a tough business woman and so I can't come up with a rational reason not to sell. I have owned, I would guess, a hundred cars, from Morris Minor woodies, 57 Volve, MGBs, Austin Healeys, 56 Dodge pickup, numerous VWs, several motorcyles and more and one many people have never heard of, A Borgward. I thought it might be interesting to ask everyone what the worse car they ever owned was, or is, the most reliable, and their absolute favorite. For me, old Opel, reliability Miata, (99,99,04), favorite Camero RS formerly owned by a paranoid CIA agent, and it was powerful. I couldn't park it anywhere or it would be gone in 60 seconds and so I sold and just last Fall saw it in an Auto show. She is well cared for and garaged, seldom driven. Now for the decision, I own a white 98 Porsche carrera, 993 and the Miata. I chose to keep the Porsche. I still wonder, and probably always will, seller's remorse, and on the other end is buyer's remorse. This Miata has both. I bought it, realizing that maybe I shouldn't, and am selling it with doubt too. My S.O. is well trained in martial arts, and though I am 6" 185 and she 5'3" 102 pounds, the only advantage I have is to outrun her, or dissappear scuba diving. All in all life is good, and ever changing. Thanks for your ideas and thoughts. Raymond
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    What about letting her use it? If it's her car maybe she'd be willing to keep it, and then you could use it on occasion.

    Doesn't sound like it's an issue of being able to afford it.

    I'd sell the tractor. LOL

    -juice
  • brunoganzbrunoganz Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2001 Miata MX-5. On top of two of the four spark plugs is some kind of electronic device. Can anyone tell me what it is and what purpose it serves?
  • crashton6crashton6 Member Posts: 245
    If memory serves me right, they are the coil packs. Each one fires two spark plugs.

    Chuck
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    Yes, they are the coil packs. They showed up with the advent of variable valve timing on the 01 and up models. They help you get that extra 2hp over the 99 and 00 models (yay!).

    It's just something else to remove when you have to change your spark plugs (which the NB's love to "eat" as well). It's kind of a pain to get them out of there with the strut tower brace in the way, but I managed to get mine outta there without removing the brace when I changed the plugs in my 02.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    +2hp and they began requiring premium fuel. That didn't sound like progress to me!

    But some mags tested both and the new models were indeed quicker.

    The new MX-5 should go back to regular, right? Same engine from the 3.

    -juice
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    I doubt that the NC will go back to 87...I just have a feeling that switching a model to premium is like starting a new gov't entitlement program, once it starts, it stays....whether it's necessary or not. :(

    One benefit of the VVT is that you do get that "Vtech" like kick in the pants at about 4500-5000 RPM when accelerating. My 90 is fairly uniform throughout the RPM range...no sudden "surge" of power anywhere.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It'll be the 2.0l at first, though a 2.3l should follow shortly thereafter.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    While we're at it, specs from the Mazda3 2.0l:

    148hp @ 6500rpm
    135lb-ft @ 4500rpm
    28/35 EPA with stick

    Mileage is better than the old 1.8l Protoge, so I expect it to improve for the Miata as well. I'll guess something like 27/34 depending upon how they gear it.

    Range should be better. That's annoying now, I get gas every 250 miles or so the way I drive. :o)

    -juice
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    The NC is reported to have about 160 hp or so, thus the 2.0L from the 3 will probably be tuned a bit from those 148hp numbers (hello VVT and 91 octane I'd imagine).

    With the sportier gearing in the Miata vs. the Protege / 3, I don't expect the EPA mileage to be any better than the current NB gets.
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    2.0L rated at 158hp (but who knows after they restrict it for CA emissions.llala NB and the RX-8). Redline is unclear...the 2.0 in the 3 is at 6500 but it wouldn't surprise me to see the Miata retain the "traditional" 7k RPM redline after being tuned.

    Motorweek (I believe) reported (rumored?) an optional 2.3L with 178 hp being offered but we'll see.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    VVT on the current 1.8l didn't have an adverse affect on EPA estimates, in fact I think they improved slightly.

    Shorter gearing will hurt, certainly.

    158hp is plenty, it's only 22 lbs heavier than the old one.

    Edmunds reported 22 lbs lighter, but everyone else seemed to report heavier, so that was likely a mistake.

    -juice
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    I have no idea what VVT does to mpg. The 01 mpg was pretty much the same as the 00 non-VVT engines. In a Miata I think that the sportier gearing is the key to sub-30 mpg's.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Very nice, hugely improved leg room, Amen.

    Seat could offer more thigh support, but leg room is there. My 30" inseam could not fully depress the clutch. Foot well is still tight so leave the boots at home and wear driving mocs.

    Tilt wheel is going to be all the way up for everyone, it should go higher.

    170hp! More than Europe gets.

    Aluminum hood, lots of good stuff. No spare at all, just a can, run flat may be an option later.

    Trunk has neat struts, non-intrusive.

    Can't wait to drive one. Even the oil filter is at the bottom and accessible.

    I loved it.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    cool autoshow feedback, juice.

    regarding the spare, that's fine by me as I have no spare in my Evo. I do have a can of fix-a-flat but most likely I'd just call roadside assistance.

    ~Colin
  • slices17slices17 Member Posts: 35
    Has anyone tried getting out of a lease? I had a 99 Miata (loved it) and in September 2003 I traded it in for an RX-8. The RX-8 is leased. I saw the 06 Miata and now I want the 06 Miata. The lease on my RX-8 isn't over until September 2007.

    I wonder if the dealer will let me get out of the RX-8's lease if I am getting another car from them.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I have no personal experience but I believe swapalease and leasetrade (both .com-- not going to link directly, edmunds TOS) would be good places to start.

    You're probably hosed. What's up with a 4 year lease btw? I sure hope you're claiming it as a business expense..

    ~Colin
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    No problem getting out of a lease...but it will cost you big time. My advice would be to just stick it out. Somehow I think you'll be able to get by until 2007 in your RX-8...somehow ;)

    By then the NC will be in it's 2nd or 3rd model year and all the kinks will be worked out. Heck there may even be incentives by then.
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    Well the seats in my 1990 are torn at the head rests so I think I'm going to reupholster them since I'm not having any luck finding some 01+ seats to swap in there.

    I'm planning on putting perforated red vinyl in the seat insert and the rest in black vinyl. Then putting in some regular red vinyl (same kind as the seat inserts, just no perferations) in the door panels (the lower part where the armrest is.

    My dad still has a couple of sewing machines from our old burned up upholstery shop from when I was a kid, so we'll be doing the work ourselves. The vinyl is a GM product that looks a lot like real leather but will be easier to work and a lot cheaper. I've thought about cloth, but I really want to do the door panels in a matching fabric and cloth seemed wrong somehow.

    Anyone else ever hear of using cloth in the door panels?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Cloth door panels aren't really a good idea on an open car. Maybe if you had a metal plate for the area where your foot habitually kicks the panel, that might help but still, it's risky. Of course, years ago most cars used cloth but it had better be tough stuff if you do so now.
  • unicounico Member Posts: 2
    Ok, had my 2001 Miata at the dealer today for the same problem, they replaced the cam shaft sensor, and lite is now out. So, good luck with yours.
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    As have many, I must whole heartedly recommend the Toyo Proxes T1-S for the Miata. I had an 02 with the Yokohama ES100 (which are also highly regarded) but the Toyos are superior IMO. I got them in a 195 size for my 1990, instead of the factory 185 but the visual difference is hardly noticeable. What is noticable is the traction. The car truly feels glued to the road. On my winding county roads the Miata feels like I'm holding it back now where at the same speeds with the old tires it was a struggle to keep it on the road. I find that turns can easily be taken at 10+ mph faster than I could safely do with my old ones (Dayton Daytona M + S).

    The Miata really does need a true summer tire to unleash its potential and I recommend the Toyo T1S to any of you looking for a new set in the future.
  • checkitoutcheckitout Member Posts: 15
    Will a 6'4" 235# male fit in the new Miata?

    TIA
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    I recommend that you check out something else I'm afraid. A Corvette will work, possibly an S2K or a 350Z but not a Miata...unless you never put the top up. :)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If you mean 05, then no.

    If you mean 06 MX-5, then maybe. It will be cramped but you might fit, try one on for size.

    -juice
  • kymikekymike Member Posts: 115
    Couldn't tell if you were referring to the 2006 MX5 that is just being displayed on the auto show circuit or the 2005. You likely will not fit well in the 2005, but may fit in the 2006. You will probably have to wait until the end of the summer to find out, though as they won;t be in the showrooms until then.
  • myatamyata Member Posts: 1
    Interesting post. My husband will not drive my Miata. He says that he just can't help it but every time he sees a man driving a Miata, he thinks "homosexual." I think it's because he grew up in the deep South in homophobic central. I asked him what a man's convertible would be and he said something with a big engine, like a Corvette. It's fine with me. I'm possessive of my MX5!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's neanderthal thinking - men have to drive gas guzzlers?

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Well, bum news, someone threw a rock right through my rear window - on the new Robbins soft top. Smashed it in a milllion pieces. I found the rock inside.

    It was thrown so hard that is flew into the cup holder and broke that in to 7 pieces, then proceeded to the shifter boot and tore that slightly.

    PBC, who installed the top, said there is so much labor that I might as well replace the whole top. Would cost about $900, ugh.

    Can I get just the window cheaper, and if so how hard is it to install?

    -juice
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